San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1887-09-29
The Lupatic Asylum Muddle-.-Who Il
ti -. Responsible.

duct oil LII. DOrScLt, superintendent
of the Lunatic Asylum and it's "lame
and impotent conclusion" certainly
challenge the comments of a press
which respects first of all the public
interest. 1t will be recollected that
there were nineteen specific charges
brought against DIR. Dorset, more
than half of which were sustained by
the investigation. 1t was proved
that on one occasion he slapped fe-
male patient violently in the face
while in strait jacket. 1t was
shown that his conduct and language
we're frequently violent and offensive;
that he discharged some of the worst
cases, certifying that they had never
been insane; that he was in constant
hot water with the employees of the
institution; that he permitted his
boys to worry and abuse the patents;
and that he was the very paragon of
Implicitly in word and action. These
were only small part of the facts as
revealed by the testimony, the general
tenor of which was sufficient to satisfy
reasonable people of his incompe-
tency and unftness for the very re-
sponsible position which he occupi-
ed. Accordingly three of the five
members OF the Asylum Board, who
were nominally given control OF the
matter, united in conforming his
administration, and four Of them at
last asked him for his resignation.
This he declined to tender, practical
ly setting them at defiance, and the
board, for the alleged reason that the
law did not warrant them in further
attempting to GUST him, decided to
rebuke and reprimand him, and so
leave him. They reported their
action to the Governor, offering to
tender their designations if he chose
to accept them bat he expressed his
hearty concurrence in their action,
declaring his purpose to leave it all
to them, and and expressing
his doubts Of his own power to
remove Dorsett, if he desired to do so.
It should be stated that the board
was appointed by the Governor as
friends of DR.. Dorsett prior to his in
itiation into office hence their con-
demnation was the more significant,
The reader will naturally inquire
why, since the Governor had no scru-
ples about the removal of DR.. Dor
tsotts immediate predecessor, Dr.
Denton, he could not have removed
HIM CDorsett) also. Thereby hangs
a tale to which, as throwing a good
deal Of light on the case before u.s.
we will briefly refer.
When Governor Ross came into
Office he found DR.. Denton in charge
of the Asylum as superintendent dc
had encountered considerable oppo
sition during his first term, but had
lived most of it down, and was dis
charging his official duties satlsfac-
torially to the chem board of mana
gers. consisting of the following well
known gentlemen Stephen H. Oar
den, VIM. W. Wilson, G. G. Dibrell,
A. E. Goodwin, and Ed. CHAMBERS.
DIR. Denton was also personal and
,,cl;tical friend of the new governor.
Yet Immediately after his inaugura
ton Governor Ross demanded the
substitution of DIR. Dorsett for DIR.
Denton. The members of the board
who were supposed to control the
matter. declined to register his edict
aud rendered their designations,
which were promptly accepted and
another board was selected favorable
TO DR.. Dorsett
Il has been stated, IN explanation
Of the hasty action Of the Gov
ernor on that occasion, that he re-
sented the idea that be should not
have full control over tho appoint
ment How is Il, then, that be now
lodges behind the Dorset board.
and affects to believe that neither
they nor himself have any power IN
the premises. save to '-repumand
Tue plain fact appears to be that
for some reason not apparent DR.
Dorsstt has been q fayOrite with Gov
Ross froua tie beginning; that
having pat bI-z IN osioo with a high
hard. and given him soon after 8
.sIq boost--eutirely unfOunded and
rtJcserved-thr0ugh the legislative